JOHN BROWN LIVES INC
EIN 45-4553106 · Arts, Culture & Humanities N.E.C. (A99)
What they do
JOHN BROWN LIVES! (JBL!) is A NONPROFIT FREEDOM EDUCATION and HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATION THAT USES ARTS and EDUCATION, ADVOCACY and ACTIVISM to ENGAGE THE PUBLIC IN EXCAVATING USEFUL LEGACIES of THE PAST IN ORDER to INSPIRE COMMUNITY and CIVIC ACTION THAT ADDRESSES CRITICAL SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES TODAY. WE ARE ALSO THE OFFICIAL NEW YORK STATE FRIENDS GROUP of THE JOHN BROWN FARM STATE HISTORIC SITE IN LAKE PLACID, NY.
Should I give to this charity?
Of every $100 spent, about $78.80 was reported for mission work. Use the spending picture below and ask what results that work produced.
Plain answer: A tax form cannot prove that a charity is doing good. It can show how the charity says it spent its money—and point out questions you should ask.
Basic facts we verified
IRS warning checkNo IRS revocation warning appears in this data.
Money report from 2024The charity has a recent tax report to read.
They explain their jobThe charity tells us what it is trying to do.
They name their leaders16 people are listed in the latest report.
You can reach themThey list contact information, so you can ask questions.
Money made simple
Ask these three easy questions
- Who did you help? Ask for a recent story or report that shows real results.
- What will my money do? Ask exactly what your gift will pay for.
- Is this really the charity? Give only through its official website or confirmed phone number.
Worth asking: Expenses exceeded revenue by $16,224 this year. Ask whether that was planned or caused by a one-time event.
Pay context: The highest compensation shown in this filing is $69,231 for MARTHA SWAN (EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR). Compare pay with organizations of similar size and complexity.
Bottom line: Do not decide from a name, mission statement, or tax status alone. Look at where the money went, then ask what changed, who was helped, and what your gift will do. YouCanGiveBack does not endorse or grade organizations.
Financial picture
A plain-language look at the latest Form 990 figures available. These numbers help you ask better questions; they do not, by themselves, rate whether a charity is good or bad.
How each $100 of revenue was used
The large number compares each expense with revenue. The smaller number shows its share of total expenses.
Expenses were greater than revenue, so the colored ring fills the available $100 and the total above 100% is shown below.
Has the pattern changed?
Colored bars = expense mix: how each year’s expenses were divided. Total expenses vs. revenue shows whether the charity spent less or more than it received. The current filing is first.
Money in and money out
Reported spending amounts
Mission work means the Form 990 category called program services. These are reported accounting categories—not an independent measurement of results.
See all reported dollar amounts
Leadership and board
Names, titles, time, and compensation below are reported by the organization on its Form 990.
People reported as paid
Compensation alone does not tell whether pay is reasonable. Consider the charity’s size, work, location, and results.
See everyone listed on the board or leadership roster (16)
MARTHA SWANEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
JEFF JONESPRESIDENT
RENAN SELGADOBOARD MEMBER
MARTIN TYLERBOARD MEMBER
MARK RYANTREASURER
LEWIS HUGHESBOARD MEMBER
JUSTIN OLIVERBOARD MEMBER
JOSEPH HENDERSONBOARD MEMBER
JERILEA ZEMPELBOARD MEMBER
HADLEY KRUCZEK-AARONSECRETARY
GARRETT MARINOBOARD MEMBER
ERICA LEWIS BLUNTVICE PRESIDENT
DAVID BLIGHTBOARD MEMBER
BRAD RAYBOARD MEMBER
BENITA LAW-DIAOBOARD MEMBER
ADAM STEWARTBOARD MEMBER
About this charity
- Recognized since
- January 2015
- Location
- PO BOX 357, WESTPORT, NY 12993-0357
- County
- Essex
- In care of
- % MARTHA SWAN
- Primary officer
- JEFF JONES, PRESIDENT
How to reach them
Filing and classification
- Latest tax year
- 2024
- Tax period began
- January 1, 2024
- Return type
- 990
- Tax preparer
- BROWN & FITZGERALD PC
- NTEE classification
- Arts, Culture & Humanities N.E.C. (A99)
- IRS tax category
- Arts, Culture & Humanities N.E.C.